Monday, June 24, 2013

Come Dance with Me at The Costumer

The Albany Costumer at 1995 Central Avenue, Albany, New York, is doing over the Albany Store to include more dance wear.

There are more dance wear and ballet shoes for children and adults.

Even if you’re not a dancer, I think that wrap around skirts worn with tights are wonderful. They are always in fashion and are great for throwing in your suitcase. I probably shouldn’t mention leg warmers but when you need them; they may not be available.

I’m not sure if I want to be a ballet dancer, but I’ve always been enthralled with leg warmers. In addition, there is clothing for ballroom and modern dance.
Summer is the start of the Saratoga Ballet.

Don’t forget to check out the unique ballet shoe statues throughout the city.

Did you know the first ballet school was opened in France in 1661 by Louis the XXIV and only for male dancers? The initial ballet was performed in Italy in the 1600s. Women started dancing in 1681 wearing long dresses. Until 1789, performers danced, recited poems and sang songs.

Are you interested in ballet movies? If you would like a dark ballet movie, then the Black Swan (2010) is not to be missed. Black Swan allows you into Nina’s life as a ballerina in the New York City Ballet. Like all great artists, she is consumed by her profession and her competitors. Her mother is a retired ballerina who supports her daughter’s love for the ballet. Nina is auditioning for Swan Lake, and it requires a dancer who can play both the white (innocent) and black (evil) swan. What make the movie are the psychological twists and turns of women competing for this coveted role.

If you’re looking for the classic ballet films watch The Red Shoes (1948). This is another dark ballet film about the power of the red shoes.

We are so lucky to be near Saratoga, New York, the summer home of the New York City Ballet. . If you missed the earlier NYCB program, there is still time to see the Aspen Sante Fe this coming week starting on Wednesday July 24, 2013 ( http://www.spac.org/events/dance/aspen-santa-fe-ballet). The Sante Fe School of Ballet is a well-known Folklorico program. (The Folklorico program is composed of Ballet steps and musical pieces reflecting various regions and folk music genres of Mexico. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballet_Folklorico_de_Mexico) Throughout the beginning years, until 1789, the performers not only danced, but also recited poems and sang songs.

And possibly get to the Saratoga Ballet, it will be a night to remember.
Ballet dancers go through ballet shoes very quickly depending on their dancing experience, and time spent dancing. A pair of pointe shoes will last anywhere from a few hours up to 12 hours of dancing. If you attend a class for a few hours, it’s said the shoes will last approximately three months. The cost of pointe shoes varies from sixty dollars to one hundred thirty dollars. Most non-professional dancers go through a pair of shoes every three months.

Even if you’ve never been to a ballet you’re sure to enjoy and marvel at the beauty of the dancers. Consider that it takes years of training to become an established dancer and an honor to dance with these internationally known groups.